Islington triumph at Munich fight-fest

Islington team captain Inder Bassi (left) lost on a unanimous verdict against Magomed Schachidov

A TEAM of talented fighters from Islington Boxing Club bagged the bragging rights over their Continental cousins when they punched their way to victory in a special Munich versus London showdown in Germany.

Young boxers from the club, which is based in Hazellville Road, Upper Holloway, took on a top squad from 1860 Munich on Thursday in front of more than 2,000 fight fans at Truderinger Festwoche in Munich.

It proved a historic night for Islington as they won 6-3 to become the first London club to defeat 1860 Munich on their own patch.

“We are incredibly proud of all the boxers in our squad and the fact we are the first London team to defeat 1860 Munich away from home,” beamed matchmaker and Islington team manager Reggie Hagland.

Jerome Campbell (right) on his way to beating 1860 Munich’s Andre Jager in a split-decision win

“It’s never easy to go abroad and box in someone else’s backyard.”

Islington took four of their elite boxers to the show, while fighters from Double Jab ABC, Repton Boys Club, Nemesis and White Hart Lane Boxing Academy made up a strong capital contingent.

Islington’s Jay Jay Curtin was the first in the ring as he took on former Hungarian and German junior champion Ahmed Ham in the 60kg division.

Curtin showed glimpses of his emerging talent over the three three-minute rounds but in the end it was Ham who came out on top with a unanimous points victory to put his team 1-0 ahead.

Club-mate Jerome Campbell was the next duellist to step between the ropes as he took on Andre Jager in another clash fought at 60kg.

Campbell was understandably cautious as he squared up against an experienced opponent boasting 65 more bouts under his belt.

The Islington team that travelled to Germany to face 1860 Munich

At the end of a closely fought contest it was the Islington man who proved that bit quicker to the punch as he recorded a split-decision victory.

There was another close call in the 76kg division where Islington’s Chris Onwegbusi was denied victory via split decision against Uwe Hernandez.

After three tough rounds it was the 1860 Munich fighter’s hand that was raised in glory, although Islington team manager Hagland said there were “many who felt that Onwegbusi won the contest”.

The final fight of the show also ended in defeat for Islington as their team captain Inder Bassi, competing at 71kg, lost on a unanimous verdict against the highly-rated Magomed Schachidov.

The disappointment was short-lived, however, as the visitors celebrated their historic victory and quickly set about planning a rematch.

“I’m thankful for all the other club matchmakers and coaches who allowed their fighters to make a guest appearance for Islington Boxing Club,” added Hagland.

“I also want to thank 1860 Munich for the wonderful hospitality that they showed us.

“We are planning on bringing 1860 Munich over to London in November for our dinner show. And there are also plans for a return match in Germany, which will take place in May 2018.”

Gegic’s undefeated run goes on

ISLINGTON Boxing Club’s Slavisa Gegic (above) continued to reign in the ring on Friday when he beat Emmanuel Atuwaogu from Dagenham Boxing Club over three rounds. Competing at 69kg, Gegic used his well-oiled double jab and right-hand combo’s to maximum effect to take an early stranglehold in the fight, which was held at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club. The experienced Atuwaogu applied better pressure on his Islington rival in the second round, but in the third and final round Gegic landed eye-catching left and right head-shots to earn a unanimous decision from the judges and stretch his undefeated streak in the amateur ranks to eight bouts.